Channel 4 boss Jay Hunt has attempted to put ‘Great British Bake Off’ viewers’ minds at rest, following a stressful few days for fans of the hit show.
On Monday, viewers were dealt the blow that ‘Bake Off’ would be leaving the BBC at the end of its current run, which was followed by the devastating news that Mel and Sue would not be making the jump to Channel 4.
After the presenting duo specifically said the channel-change was their motivation for quitting, Jay - chief creative officer at C4 - has now tried to offer some comfort to ‘Bake Off’ fans, insisting they won’t be making any changes to the cherished format.
She writes in the Telegraph: “‘Great British Bake Off’ will have a safe home.
Jay adds: “We’ve got a good track record on protecting and growing the shows viewers love – from Jamie Oliver to Formula One, we’ve given great talent who’ve left the BBC the opportunity to thrive here.”
It’s not yet known whether ‘Bake Off’ judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry will be following Mel and Sue out the door, or sticking around for the eighth series when it eventually airs on Channel 4.
Mary’s husband recently implied that she wouldn’t be quitting the BBC, though, with new reports suggesting the Beeb is “bending over backwards” in its attempts to keep her on side.
Here are just a few of our suggestions for who could take over from Mel and Sue now that ‘Bake Off’ has a new home...